Model year record

2008 Forest River Charleston recalls & problems

The 2008 Forest River Charleston has 4 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (2 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentNov 22, 2017

Equipment

Recall 17V756000365,885 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 4, 2010

Pedals and linkages

Recall 10V079000456 vehicles

Problem: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CHARLESTON MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 16, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 23, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.
Risk: A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO NOTIFY OWNERS. REPAIRS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY FREIGHTLINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-647-0712.

SuspensionJul 28, 2008

Suspension

Recall 08V34500057 vehicles

Problem: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 57 MY 2007-2008 MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND REAR SUSPENSIONS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Fix: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DAIMLER TRUCKS AND SAF-HOLLAND TO HAVE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ADL TRANSVERSE BEAM PERFORMED. IF A WELD DEFECT IS IDENTIFIED, SAF-HOLLAND WILL PROVIDE A SERVICE REPLACEMENT KIT THAT CONTAINS A NEW TRANSVERSE BEAM, ALL NECESSARY INSTALLATION HARDWARE, BEAM REPLACEMENT, AND INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 08E031 AND 08V269). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-231-773-3271, DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712, OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.

SteeringMay 6, 2008

Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Recall 08V20400093 vehicles

Problem: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.
Risk: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V306). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
FRONT SIDE WALLS (STRUCTURE) SEPARATING FROM FRAME SUPPORT, SIDE WALLS SEPARATING MOVING INDEPENDENTLY FROM FLOORING. SCREWS ATTACHING SIDE WALL OF MOTOR HOME SHEARING CAUSING WALL SEPARATION. FRONT OF MOTOR HOME DROP AT LEAST ONE INCH. AIR ENTERING INTO PASSENGER AREA THROUGH GAP CREATED FROM WALL SEPARATION AND DROP. SCREWS USED TO ATTACH SIDE WALLS OF MOTOR HOME NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SIDE WALLS. OTHERS HAVE HAD REPAIRS AND REPEATED FAILURES. *TR
Mar 25, 2015 · 19,791 miles
Structure
RV STANDING STILL AT THE TIME. PIECE OF TRIM FELL OFF. 1.5" X 1.5" X 13.5', SQUARE 1/8" THICK ALUMINUM TUBING. APPROX. 20 LBS. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED IF I WAS DOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY!!! FOUND THAT IT WAS SECURED BY 4, SELF TAPPING SCREWS, THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. I HAVE THE SAME KIND OF TRIM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COACH (MUCH LONGER PIECE), WHERE I FOUND AT LEAST ONE SHEARED SCREW ALREADY. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID (JUST BRING IT IN AND GET IT FIXED!) KIND OF SCARES ME NOT KNOWING IF IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I DON'T SEE WHY NOT! THIS IS A FOREST RIVER, GEORGETOWN, MODEL 373. I'M PROVIDING THIS INFO BECAUSE YOUR DROP DOWN DOES NOT SHOW THIS…
Sep 24, 2008 · 4,131 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.